Hofer



(No Model.) 5 Sheets-Sheet 1.

0. A. A'YRH FER. HYDROPNEUMATIU ULO GK SYSTEM. Nb'.f3,59,'799. Patented Mar. 22,1887.

w a 1511163331. M a Q N- PETERS, PMloLil'hngrnpber, Wnhinghn, D. C

(No Model;) 5 Sheets-Sheet '2.

0. A. MAYRHOFER.

HYDROPNEUMATIG CLOCK SYSTEM. I No; 359,799. Patented Mar. 22, 1887 (No Model.) 5 Sheets-Sheet a.

d. A. MAYRHOFER. HYDROPNEUMATIC CLOCK SYSTEM- N0; 35 .799. Patented Mar. 22,1887.

(No Model.) 5 Sheets-Sheet 4.

0. A. MA'Y HOPBR. HYDROPNEUMATIO CLOCK SYSTEM No.- 359,799. Patent-ed mmzz, 1887.

5 Sheets-Shet 5.

(No-Model.)

G. A. MAYRHOPER. HYDROPNEUMATIO'GLOG-K sYsTEM. No, 359,799 Patented M 1887- UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CARL ALBERT MAYRHOFER, OF VIENNA, AUSTRIA-HUNGARY, ASSIGNOR TO CARL DIENER OF SAME PLACE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 359,799, dated March 22, 1887.

Application filed June 24, 1885. Serial No.169.656. (No modeh) Patented in Germany June 12, 1885, No. 34,856; in France June 12, 18%5, No. 169,533; in Be gium June 12, 1885, No. 09,247, and in England June 12, 1885, No. 7,191.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CARL ALBERT MAYB- HOFER, a subject of the Emperor of Austria Hungary, residing at Vienna, in the Province 5 of Lower Austria, in the Empire of Austria- Hungary, have invented certain new and useful Improvementsiu Apparatus for Regulating Clocks and other Purposes by Means of aVacuum, (for which Letters Patent have been granted in Germany, No. 34,856, dated June 12, 1885; in France, No. 169,533, dated June 12, 1885; in Belgium, No. 69,247, dated June 12, 1885, and in England, No. 7,19i, dated June 12, 1885;) and I do hereby declare the following to r be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, referencebeing had to the accompanying drawings, and to letters or figures of referenee marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

This invention relates to controlling mech anisms whereby devices distant from a main or central station may be set in operation or their movement controlledas, for instance, for regulating clocks at stated times from a standard clock at an observatory or other main or central station, or for operating railway or other signals-in fact,forsettinginto operation 0 any suitable mechanism which it is desired to control from a point distant therefrom.

The invention consists, essentially, in mechanism for producing a vacuum or partial vacuum in a line-pipe or system of line-pipes through the medium of an ejector, either antomatically or otherwise, and at stated times or at any desired time, such vacuum acting to impart motion to mechanisms interposed in said line-pipe or series of line-pipes, substan- 0 tially as hereinafter fully described.

It consists, further, in mechanism for controlling the degree of vacuum formed in the line pipe or pipes, substantially as hereinafter fully described.

4 5 It consists, further, in the combination, with the mechanism for producing the vacuum in the line pipe or pipes, of safety devices to prevent water or steam from entering into the vacuum-pipe,substantially as hereinafter fully described; and, lastly, the invention consists 0 in the details of construction and arrangement of the various parts and in their combination and cooperation, substantially fully described hereinafter.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l shows, by an elevation, a general arrangement of the various devices that compose the controlling vacuum apparatus. Fig. 2 is an isometrical view of the mechanism by which the ejector is started. Fig. 3 is a like view of the admission valve or cock in the water or steam main and the mechanism for controlling the 8 same. Figs. 4 and 5 are also isometrical views of the regulators or safety devices interposed in the apparatus. Fig. 6 is a longitudinal sec- 6 5 tion of a well-known construction of ejector or injector.

Like letters indicatelike parts in the above figures.

I will first describe the apparatus in its gen- Q eral arrangement, and afterward the mechanisms of which it is composed in detail, referring more particularly to Fig. 1. In this figure, V indicates the line-pipe in which the vacuum is to be produced, and which I will hereinafter deuominate by vacuum-pipe.

\/V is the water or steam main by which the water or steam under pressure is supplied to the ejector for producing the vacuum in pipe V.

It will of course be understood that the ejector may be operated either by water or steam under pressure, and in order-to simplify the description I will confine the same to the former fluid as the agent for operating the ejector.

In the vacuum-pipe V and the water-main \V are interposed the following mechanisms, to-wit: first, a controlling and cut-off mechanism and registering mechanisms X, controlled, respectively, by an electro-magnet, M, and the vacuum in the line-pipe; second, a controlling and cut-off mechanism, XI, for controlling the admission of the operating-fluid to the ejector and for controlling the vacuum in the line pipe V, said devices being controlled by the mechanism X; third, a safety mechanism, XII, to prevent the operative fluid from entering the vacuumpipe V, from the ejector in case the latter should become i11operative from any cause and the fluid supplied thereto should'flow into the vacuum-pipe instead of through the waste-pipe, and, lastly, a cut-off mechanism, XIII, to out off the communication between the fluidmain and ejector, said mechanism being controlled by the operation of the mechanism XIL These devices or mechanisms I will now describe in detail in the order set forth, commencing with the main connections thereof between them and the pipes V and IV.

i The vacuum-pipe V, as shown, is connected through the safety cut-off or controlling mechanism X with the ejector I on the one hand, and on the other through a pipe, 22,.with a valve or stop-cock,E, thatadmits air to said vacuumpipei'or the destruction of the vacuum therein. The controlling valve or cock 0 of the controlling mechanism X is connected 011 the one hand with the water-main \V by a pipe, 20, and on the other hand with the devices that control the valves or cocks D E by a pipe, 10, and finally with the waste-piper of the ejector I by a pipe, w". The vacuunrpipe V is also connected by a pipe, "0, with a vacuum-indicator, V-that is to say, with a registering mechanism by which the creation and destruction of the vacuum .in the line-pipe is recorded, or,

in other words, by which mechanism each pulsation in the vacuum-pipe is recorded. The pipe V is by a pipe, 11, further connected by branches a v with the mechanism of the controlling apparatus X, for purposes hereinafter explained.

\V is a pressure-indicator or manometer on the water-main W, and Y is a sediment-trap in said main V; and I will now describe the above devices in detail, commencing with the controlling mechanism X, and referring more particularly to Fig. 2.

T indicates a suitable table, shelf, or other convenient support upon which the mechanism of the controlling apparatus is mounted. This mechanism consists of the controlling valve or cock 0, hereinbefore referred to, and a suitable train of gearing or clock-movement, G, upon one of the driving-arbors ofwhichthat shown at g-is mounted the plug or spindle c of the valve or cock 0, and by which cloelemovement said spindle is rotated. It further consists of an electro-magnet, M, whose armaturelever controls the clock-movement through the medium of an escapement. It further consists of a lever for actuating the armature-lever and of winding devices for automatically maintainingthe clock-movement wound up. This clock-movement is or may be of any suitable construction to impart to the valve or cock spindle c the necessary motion. The electroinagnet M is or may be of any usual or desired construction, and it is supported from a bracket, T, screwed to the table I. The armature m of the electro-magnet M is secured to the long armm of a lever, M, rigidly connected to an arbor, m, that has its hearings in bracket-arms s, projecting from a standard, S.

To the short arm in of lever M is secured a spring, m that holds the armature-lever retracted from the electro-magnct M, for obvious purposes. Upon one end of the arbor m is secured a fork, F, the palletsff of which are adapted to engage a prism-shaped pallet, Z, projecting from the outer or free end of a lever, L, fulcrumed upon an arbor, L, that is secured to the frame-plates g g of the clock-movement G. To one of said frame-plates g is secured a bent or U-shaped spring, .9, the free end of which bears upon the long arm h of a lever, H, fulcrumed at h to the front plate g of the frame of the clock-movement, below the lever L. The long arm h of the lever I-I terminates in a pallet, h", that engages the teeth of an escapement-wheel, K, while the short arm h of lever H lies in the path of the lever L. The latter lever carries a stop-pin, Z, that engages the fly of the clock-movement.

The escapementwheel K is secured to the main driving-arbor of the clock-movement, to which is also secured a four-armed lever, K, the arms k of which carry pins is, that rotate in the path of the lever L.

The clock-movement is driven by a weight, G, and G is a counter-weight that keeps the transmission-chain at a proper tension.

N is a two armed lever fulerumed in a bracket or standard, T", secured to the table T. The arm n of lever N carries a counterweight, N, and the arm a a platespring, N", adapted to bear on the armature-lever M when the arm a of lever N is depressed, which takes place, when a vacuum is produced in the vacuum-pipe V, through the following devices:

N is a casing divided into two chambers by a slack diaphragm secured between the upper and lower halves of said casing, or in any other desirable or suitable manner. The lower chamber of easing N is connected by pipes a and a, with the vacuum-pipe V, and to the diaphragm is seen red a red, at", that is pivoted to the lever N. \Vhen a vacuum is produced in pipe V the diaphragm is drawn down and carries with it the lever-arm a, the plate-spring N of which will bear against the armaturelever M, and push the same toward the electro-magnet M to release the clock-movement, for purposes which will presently be explained.

The clock-movement is kept wound up by means of the following devices:

J is a casing of spherical or other suitable form, which is substantially like casing N", divided into two chambers by a slack diaphragm, to which is attached a rack-bar, j, that meshes with the winding-pinion J of the clock-movement, said casing being connected by branch pipe 1; with the vacuum-pipe 'V, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, so that whenever a vacuum is formed in pipe V the rack-bar is drawn up by the diaphragm, thereby rotating the pinion J to wind up the driving-weight.

It has been heretofore stated that the valve or cock 0 is controlled by the clock-movement. The plug or spindle of this clock has a single passage formed transversely through it,

and its barrel has four branches, 0 c c 0*. Branch 0 is connected with branch 0, that in its turn is connected with the pipe w, leading to the piston-cylinder G, the piston of which controls the admission-valve D and the airvalve E, which I will now describe, referring to Fig. 3. The admission-valve D is interposed in the water-main W, while the air-valve E is connected by a branchpipe, c, with the vacuu ni-pipe V, Fig. 1. The plugs or spindles d and 6, respectively, of these valves are connected by slotted arms D E with the long and short arms, t" and 6", respectively, of a le ver, 1, that is fulcrumed at t'* on a standard, it, secured to a suitable table or shelf, t. To the outer end of said long arm t" is attached a counter-weight, I, that serves to carry the le ver back into its normal position after having been lifted by the piston of cylinder 0, the rod 0 of which is connected with the lever I by means of a pivot-pin, c, that has its bearings in a longitudinal slot, i formed in lever I.

I is the ejector, (shown on an enlarged scale in Fig. 6,) of a well-known construction, which it will be unnecessary to describe in detail, as I do not desire to claim, specifically, any particular form of ejector, since it is obvious that any ej ector of proper construction may be used. The ejector, as has been stated above, is interposed in the linepipe or water-main W, and is connected with the vacuum-pipe V by pipeo. In the latter pipe is arranged a safety cut-out valve, A, adapted to cut the ejector out of the line of vacuum-pipe Vin case it should become impaired in its functions or damaged, thereby allowing the water from the main to pass into the vacuum -pipe V. This valve A is constructed and arranged to operate as follows: To the vaeuumpipe V is connected a waste branch, v, and in this connection the safetyvalve A isinterposed and in such a manner that it will cut off the communication between the waste-pipe v, the outer air, and the pipe V, and to the spindle or plug a of the valve is secured an arm,a. In the pipe V, between valve or cock A and the ejector I, is interposed a cylinder, A, which contains a float, (o of such construction as not to interrupt the com munication between the line-pipe V and the said ejector. The float has a rod, a, whose upper end bears on the under side of the short arm, 0,of an angle-lever, O, fulcrumed in a standard or bracket, A secured to the cylinder-head. The long arm, 0',of lever O carries a weighted cross-head adapted to strike the arm a on the spindle a of valve A, when said lever is tilted by the float-rod a when the float is lifted by the water flowing in from the ejector, in case the latter should fail in its operation to eject the water through the waste-pipe, thus tilting the arm a and rotating the valve A, so as to cut offthe communication between the vacuumpipe V and cylinder A, and establishing communication between the latter, the waste-pipe o, and the atmosphere, thus preventing the water from the ejector from penetrating into the line of vacuum-pipe and destroying the Vacuum therein simultaneously.

O is a manometer or pressureindicator for indicating the pressure in the cylinder A.

Referring now more particularly to Fig. 5, in which I have shown, on an enlarged scale, the safety cut-off devices or valve mechanisms Xlll interposed in the water-main IV, hereinhefore referred to, P is a tray that extends under-all the pipe-connections of the apparatus, as shown in Fig. 1, said tray having an opening in which is secured a cylinder, Q, that is open at top.

The cylinder contains a float, Q, the rod q of which is guided in its vertical movements by a tubular bearing, 1), projecting from a bridge, P, secured to the tray P across the open end of cylinder Q. The floatrod q terminates in a beveled face or hook, q, adapted to engage a prism-shaped pallet, r, projecting from the crank R, secured to the outer end of a rod or shaft, R, secured in a tubular bearing, r, projecting from a standard, R, carried by the tray 1. The rod It is surrounded by a coiled spring, 1-, the action of which tends to maintain the prism in anormal position in the path of the beveled nose or face (1 at the upper end of the float-rod q.

To a standard, P projecting from the tray P, is fulcrumed a lever, U, the outer end of the arm a of which bears on the under side of the prism 1, that holds the lever in proper position, and from the outer end of the arm a is suspended a counter-weight, U.

To the arm a of the lever U is connected an arm, w, secured to the valvespindle w of a valve or cook, X, interposed in the watermain XV.

Should any leakage occur in the water-pipes, or should from any cause water from main W' pass to and from the ejector into the vacuumpipe V and be discharged therefrom by the safety-valve A. as above described, such water will be collected in the tray 1 and the cylinder Q thereof, whereby the float Q will be caused to rise in cylinder Q, and its red q to release the lever U, thereby rotating the valve and cut oil the supply of water from the main to the apparatus.

W is a pressure-indicator interposed in the water-main IV, for obvious purposes.

Y, Fig. 1, is a sediment-trap interposed in the water-main WV, the interior of which is divided into two communicating chambers by a diaphragm, y. (Shown in dotted lines.)

As the sectional area of the chambers is considerably greater than the like area of the water main WV, and as the water passing through the sediment trap is directed first downwardly and then upwardly, as shown, the velocity of the current is considerably diminished, allowing solids suspended therein to deposit in the lower part of the trap, the current again attaining its normal velocity or head after the water passes from the trap to the main, as will be readily understood. The

sedimenttrap Y is provided, as usual, with purging cocks or plugs y.

In order that the operation of the apparatus may be fully understood, I will, as an ex ample, describe the same in its application to the regulation of a series of clocks interposed in the vacnumpipe V, which clocks may be located at any distance from the apparatus.

The mechanism whereby the regulating devices (which may be of any desired or approved iorni) are controlled consists of a dia phragm secured in a suitable casing connected with the vacuunrpipeV, to which diaphragm is secured a rod, rack-bar, lever, or other mechanical device thatactuates the regulating mechanism when said motion is imparted to said mechanical device through the diaphragm when a vacuum is formed in pipe V.

The clectro-magnet in this case is controlled by a standard clock through well-known electrical connections, so that when, at a given timesay llOOll-filll electric current is sent through the electro-magnet M, the armature m thereofwili be attracted and the lever M thereby tilted. This movement of the lever M also releases the prism Z of lever L from pallet f of the fork F, tripping lever L, the prism of which will be caught by palletf. As soon as the electric impulse ceases, the spring or returns the lever M into its normal position, the palletfof iork F again supporting the prism Z of lever L. During this movement of the lever L the following operations take place: The lever L descends, thereby withdrawing at the same time the pin Z from the fly of the clock-movement, and bears upon the short arm, h, of lever I'I, so as to lift the pallet h at the end of its long arm, h, out of engagement with the escapement-whecl K. The latter wheel, as shown, has four notches or teeth, It", and in front thereof is secured the cross or four -armed lever K, whose arms 7; extend between the notches of the escapement-wheel, and as the pins k on the arms of the lever K lie in the path of the lever L, one of said pins will lift the lever alter each quarter-turn of the said wheel K. The clock-movement, being thus set in motion, will rotate the arbor g, and the gearing is so arranged as to impart to said arbor the same speed as that of the escapementwheel K, so that the arbor will makea quarter-revolution with said wheel, and consequently the valve-plug c of the valve or cock 0 will also make aquartcrrevoiution. It has been stated above that the said valve-plug has a single transverse passage or here, which, under nor mal conditions, is in communication with the lateral branches 0 c and through the latter with branch 0. A quarter-revolution of the plug will bring its transverse bore on a line with the branches 0 0. Water under press ure will now flow from main \V through c c 'w to cylinder 0, lift its piston, and impart a quarter-turn to the valves or cocks D and E, thereby allowing the water from main \V to flow to the ejector I and through valve E, cutting oif the communication between the vacuum-pipe V and outer atmosphere. The ejector will now produce a vacuum in pipe V, which, when sufficiently great to operate the regulating devices, will also draw down the diaphragms in casings NU. Through the diaphragm in easing N the rod a will draw the lever N down. its spring,bearing on the armature-lever M, will move the same toward the electroanagnet M and again release the lever L and clock-movement. The valve or cock 0 will, in the manner above described, make a second quarter-revolution to bring its bore on aline with the lateral branches 0" c. This will cut off the water from the ejector, which will cease to work, and establish communication between the cylinder 0 and the wastepipe 1' of ejector I through pipe 10, branch 0 0* c" of cock 0, and pipe w' The weight I of the lever 1 will cause the piston in cylinder 0 to descend, thereby expelling a portion of the water in the described connections and closing the admission-valve I) and opening the valve E to destroy the vacuum in thelincpipe V. The movement of the diaphragm in casing J at the same time moves the rack-bar j, and the latter rotates the winding-pinion J, thereby rewinding the clock-movement G at each operation of the devices.

Of course it will be understood that the armature-lever M, instead of being actuated by an electro-magnct may be actuated by connecting the same in any suitable manner to mechanical devices; or it may be operated by hand.

Instead of diaphragms for the casings N J, piston and piston-cylinders may be employed. Having described my invention, I claim 1. In a hydropneumatic clock system, the combination, with a line-pipe, an air-valve interposed therein, an ejector for producing a vacuum in said line-pipe, a supply-main for supplying the workinglluid to the ejector, and an admission-valve interposed in said main, ofacontrolling-valvefor controlling the admission and air valves through the fluid from the supply-main, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

2. In a hydropneumatic clock system, the combination, with a lincpipe, an air-valve interposed therein, an ejector for producing a vacuum in said line-pipe, a'supply-main for supplying the working-fluid to the ejector, and an admission-valve interposed therein, ot' a controlling-valve for controlling the admission and air valves by the fluid from the supply-main, and an electro-magnet for controlling the controlling-valve, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

3. In a hydropneumatic clock system, the combination, with a line-pipe, an ejector for producing a vacuum in said pipe, a supplymain for supplying the working-fluid to the ejector, and an admission-valve, of a safetyvalve operated through the working-fluid to out the line-pipe out of communication with the ejector, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

4. In a hydropneumatic clock system, the combination, with a line-pipe, an air-pipe interposed therein, an ejector for producing a vacuum in the line-pipe, a supply-main for supplying "the working-fluid to the ejector, and an admission-valve in said main, of asafetyvalve operated through the working-fluid to cut the line-pipe out of connection with the ejector and establish connection between said line-pipe and the atmosphere independently of the air-valve, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

5. In a hydropneumatic clock system, the combination, with a line-pipe, an ejector for producing a vacuum therein, a supply-main for supplying the working-fluid to the ejector, and an admissionvalve in said main, of a safety-valve operated through the workingfiuid for cutting off the supply thereof to the ejector independently of the admission-valve, substantially as and for the purpose specified. 6. In a hydropneumatic clock system, the combination, with a line-pipe, an air-pipe interposed therein, an ejector for producing a vacuum in said pipe, a supply-main for supplying the workingfiuid to the ejector, and an admission-valve in said main, of a safetyvalve interposed in the line-pipe and a safetyvalve interposed in the supply-main, both operated through the working-fluid to cut the line-pipe out of connection with the ejector and bring it in connection with the outer air independently of the air-valve and cut off the supply to the ejector independently of the admission-valve, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

7. In a hydropneumatic clock system, the combination, with a linepipe, an air-valve interposed therein, an ejector for producing a vacuum in said line-pipe, a supply-main for supplying the Working-fluid to the ejector, an admission-valve in said main, and a controlling-valve for controlling the admission and air valves through the workingfluid, of a lever operated by the action of the vacuum and actuating through intermediate mechanism the controlling-valve to bring the same into its normal position, whereby the admission is closed and the air-valve opened, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

8. In a hydropneumatic clock system, the combination, with a line-pipe, an air-valve interposed therein, an ejector for producing a Vacuum in said line-pipe, a supply-main for supplying a working-fluid to the ejector, an admission-valve interposed in said main, and a controlling-valve operated by a clock-movement for controlling the air and admission valves through the working'fluid, of a winding mechanism operated by the action of the vacuum in the line-pipe to keep the clockmovement wound up, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

9. In a hydropneumatic. clock system, the combination, with a line-pipe, an air-Valve interposed therein, an ejector for producing a vacuum in said line-pipe, a supply-main for supplying aworking-fiuid to the ejector, and a valve for controlling the admission of the fluid to the ejector, a controlling-valve for controlling the admission and air valves through the working-fluid, anda clock mech anism for operating the controlling-valve,

of a lever and a winding-pinion controlled by the action of the vacuum in the line-pipe for operating the controlling-valve to cut off the supply of working-fluid to the ejector, destroying the vacuum in the line-pipe, and wind up the clock mechanism, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

10. In a hydropneumatic clock system, the combination, with a line-pipe, an ejector for producing a vacuum in said line-pipe, and a supply-main for supplying the operating-fluid to the ejector, of a sediment-trap interposed in the supply-pipe between the ejector and the source of supply, consisting of a casing,

Y, divided by a diaphragm, y, into two pas-- sages of greater sectional area than that of the supply-main, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

CARL ALBERT MAYRHOFER. Witnesses:

JAMES RILEY WEAVER, WALTER B. SoAIEE. 

